Ukraine's Drone Industry Booms Amid Russia Invasion, Fueling Innovations in Drone and Counter-Drone Technology
Kseniia Kalmus, a former florist from Kyiv, has shifted her work to producing FPV drones for Ukraine's army in response to Russia's invasion. She, along with volunteers, manufactures hundreds of drones each month, transforming inexpensive quadcopters into armed weapons. The ongoing conflict is described as the world's first drone war, which has spurred explosive growth in drone production both in Ukraine and globally.
Ukraine reports that around 75% of Russian battlefield losses are caused by drones rather than traditional bullets or artillery. The country's drone industry has rapidly expanded from only a few makers before 2022 to hundreds currently. Companies such as Tekever have reached valuations over $1 billion, while Stark is expanding with plans to open a factory in Swindon. Meanwhile, the UK government has committed £4.5 billion for new military drones.
Alongside drone production, a counter-drone sector is also emerging. For example, Belgium is seeking drone defenses following a disruption at Brussels Airport on 7 November. Experts anticipate that artificial intelligence will drive the next significant advances in drones toward autonomous systems operating multiple drones simultaneously, as current models are primarily human-controlled. Notable companies in counter-drone technology include DroneShield, which has seen its stock rise about 15-fold since 2022, and Munin Dynamics, developing portable systems for soldiers.
